March 30, 2024
2 mins read

‘I Don’t Sit By The Doors’: Biden Jokes About Boeing Mishaps

The quip came in response to a question from CBS “Late Show” host Steven Colbert about whether Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had tightened the bolts on the presidential plane – which is a Boeing 747-200B series aircraft – before Biden’s trip to New York City.

President Joe Biden joked about being away from the plane doors manufactured by Boeing, a company recently plagued by mid-flight mishaps, the New York Post reported.

“I don’t sit by the door,” quipped the 81-year-old president, followed by a quick disclaimer, “I’m only kidding. I shouldn’t joke about that.” His remarks came during a high-dollar campaign fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall.

The quip came in response to a question from CBS “Late Show” host Steven Colbert about whether Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had tightened the bolts on the presidential plane before Biden’s trip to New York City.

Boeing is one of two highly customised Boeing 747-200Bs. However, Boeing has faced scrutiny following a series of mid-flight incidents. The troubles began with a door blowout on a Boeing 737 Max 9 operated by Alaska Airlines on January 5th, leading to the grounding of all 737 Max 9s by the Federal Aviation Administration. Investigations revealed missing bolts from the rear door of the Alaska Airlines jet, adding to concerns about Boeing’s safety protocols.

Shortly after, a Boeing aircraft had to make an emergency landing in Japan due to a crack in the cockpit window, further denting the company’s reputation, according to the New York Post.

In another incident, a Delta Airlines-operated Boeing 757 lost its front tire as it was preparing to depart Atlanta International Airport for Bogota, Colombia. These incidents raised alarm bells about the reliability of Boeing’s aircraft.

Adding to the string of mishaps, a UK passenger noticed pieces of tape on the exterior of a Boeing 787 during a flight to India, raising further concerns about maintenance standards. Then, a United Airlines Boeing 777-300 experienced a midair fuel leak, necessitating an emergency landing on March 11th. Amidst these challenges, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced his decision to step down at the end of the year, reflecting the company’s turbulent period.

Biden’s playful remark about avoiding the door on Air Force One brought a moment of levity to the fundraiser, but it also underscored broader concerns about aviation safety and Boeing’s ongoing challenges, New York Post reported. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Biden okays $60mn in aid after Baltimore bridge disaster

Previous Story

Millions of Pak women are crippled by early marriages

Next Story

Muizzu Alleges Solih Operated on ‘Foreign Envoy’s Orders’

Latest from -Top News

US Presses Hamas on Ceasefire Deal

The new proposal seeks to address some of Hamas’ concerns, and Israeli hostages will be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners during the ceasefire….reports Asian Lite News US President Donald Trump has

PM Modi Heads to Accra, Signals South-South Priority

The Prime Minister will then travel to Trinidad & Tobago from July 3-4, a country he said shares “deep-rooted historical, cultural and people-to-people connect” with India…reports Asian Lite News Prime Minister Narendra

White House Focus on India COMPACT

The Secretary affirmed the strength of the US-India relationship, highlighting implementation of the US-India COMPACT…reports Asian Lite News The US-India COMPACT—a comprehensive framework for bilateral cooperation—took centre stage during the meeting between

Trump Warns Musk: ‘Close Shop or Go Home’

Trump’s warning on his Truth Social platform late on Tuesday (US time) came amid the feud between him and Musk over the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’….reports Asian Lite News Former US President

India-US Trade Deal Likely This Week

The interim trade deal would be an initial step towards a comprehensive bilateral free trade agreement between Indian and the US….reports Asian Lite News India is expected to finalise an interim trade
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Biden terms Putin ‘war criminal’

Biden’s remark did not go down well with Russia, which

The Rise and Fall of Joe Biden

The 81-year-old President’s achievements in his 36 years in the